Explaining Development Along The Arkansas River

Updated:
Monday, July 30, 2007 12:10 PM EDT

Talk about developing the Arkansas River gets heated Sunday afternoon. Tulsa County hosted an open house at the QuikTrip Center at the Tulsa County Fairgrounds. Tulsa Mayor Kathy Taylor and Tulsa County Commissioner Randi Miller were on hand answering questions about the river plan and funding to make it happen.

While some people at the meeting support the plan, not everyone feels taxpayer should be asked to hand over their hard-earned money.

"I believe the private sector and private investment is the engine that should drive river development in Tulsa, not tax increases," Tulsa County resident Dan Hicks said.

"We've spent four years, almost every day, with the people telling us what they wanted in this plan. This is their plan. And we're going to go back and explain everything and all the details to the citizens as to what this once in a lifetime opportunity will be," said Tulsa County Commissioner Randi Miller.

Tax payers could be asked to vote on a 4/10th of a cent sales tax increase. Tulsa County commissioners are supposed to decide on Thursday whether to call for a special election in October.

The proposed development along the river will cost $393 million. One hundred eleven million dollars has been pledged by private donors. The remaining $282 million would be paid for by the 4/10ths tax.

The Tulsa County Commisioners have scheduled a series of public meetings Monday thru Wednesday on the proposal. County commissioner Fred Perry will host a public meeting Monday at 7 p.m. at the Hardesty Regional Library at 8316 East 93rd Street. On Tuesday, a meeting will be held at the CityPlex Towers at 81st and Lewis. The meeting, again hosted by Fred Perry will be held in the CityPlex atrium building. The meeting begins at 7 p.m. And on Wednesday, another meeting will be held at 7 p.m. at Central on Main at 210 North Main Street in Broken Arrow.